Absolutely alone

Exclusive – radio sitcom writer Moray Hunter looks to the future

I can definitely say we’ll be meeting up for a few beers and a natter when we’re able

MORAY HUNTER is the writer of Alone, a highly successful Radio 4 sitcom, shortlisted earlier this year in the Audio Drama Awards. Angus Deayton plays Mitch, a widower and part-time therapist looking to put his life together again as a singleton. He and his younger, unhappily divorced, brother live together, supposedly temporarily, but it has now gone on for three seasons.

I asked Moray, (who cut his comedy teeth as a local at the Fringe, but went on to greatness with Spitting Image and Absolutely) to tell me about Alone and other projects he is involved in.

Is there going to be a fourth series?

“I hope so. I’m biased but I think there’s plenty of legs in these characters yet. We’re pitching for another series soon, as it happens, so I’ve been thinking up some possible storylines for that and we should hear back in a couple of months. I’m hopeful, but you never know and it’s always a bit tense until you get a definite response.”

One of the characters is played by Abigail Cruttenden - and with that surname she has to be related to comedian Hal who is a stalwart at the Fringe. Is she related?

“Yes, she’s his sister and he’s her brother, as is often the way. I don’t know Hal’s work very well I’m afraid but if he’s half as good at stand-up as his sister is at acting, he’ll be a hoot.”

The series is also directed and produced by fellow Edinburgh lad, Gordon Kennedy, also of Absolutely fame.

Anything else planned together?

“Yes. Gordy produces a lot of programmes for Radio 4 out of our Absolutely Production company and I do script editing work on some of those. In fact we’re teaming up over the summer to make a Radio 4 pilot called Disordered, a comedy drama by a fairly new writer, George Mason, which is set in Edinburgh. It’s about a single parent father with mental health issues, and we think it’s funny and warm as well as pretty dramatic. We’re planning to record it in Edinburgh and it’s due to air later this year. And we’re also developing another project by a new Welsh writer also for Radio Four. We are pitching it soon as well. I don’t want to hex it by saying more than that. But we’re hopeful. You do a lot of hoping in this line of work.”

Are you guys doing any more Absolutely when you get a chance?

“The Absolutely Radio Show is on hiatus right now, but never say never. I can definitely say we’ll be meeting up for a few beers and a natter when we’re able. I’m beyond hopeful about that.”

I guess we have to mention Chief Miekelson another Absolutely chap?

“You do, of course. And I’m seeing him in a couple of weeks as it happens, so I better dash off and catch up on his recent interviews with Nicola and the other leaders so that I’m up to speed when I see him. I’m hoping, yet more hoping, that he’s doing the same with Alone.”